Citation and License

Abstract

Background

The case of adenocarcinoma with human chorionic gonadtropin (HCG), primary in the
male gallbladder, is extremely rare. A Medline search has shown only a few similar
cases reported.

Methods

We herein describe a case of primary gallbladder adenocarcinoma associated by ectopic
HCG positive tumor cells in a 79-year-old male.

Results

Pathological examination showed a mixture of moderately and poorly differentiated
adenocarcinoma with ectopic HCG and placental alkaline phosphatase (PlAP) in tumor
cells, though the increase of serum or urinary HCG secretion was not confirmed. The
literatures were also reviewed.

Conclusions

A case of gallbladder cancer with ectopic HCG production is quite rare in the literature,
though many similar cases in other site, especially in GI tract, are reported. Embryological
consideration suggests the increased frequency of similar cases more than being thought
now.